Riot

About this song

The song was first released in mid-2015, months after the deaths of Michael Brown and others, and after Brown's killing several riots broke out in Ferguson, Missouri. A music video for the song was included within the video for the December 2015 single "Look at Me!" and premiered on September 12, 2017. The track was re-released on streaming platforms on June 1, 2020, amid nationwide protests over George Floyd's murder.

What it's about

XXXTENTACION addresses the killings of African Americans across the United States and the riots that follow. He condemns officers who abuse their power, while urging those who riot in protest to consider the people behind the businesses they destroy and to channel their pain in a more peaceful way.

Fun facts

• Samples “Terr et Tiwa by Alain Goraguer”.
• Sampled in 13 other songs, like “RIOT (Freestyle) by PRXJEK”.
• Covered once, including “Tired by awrose”.
• Written by XXXTENTACION.
• Produced by Luke White.